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Well it looks like the NHL CI pricing is out, $171.80. My current statement had this disclaimer on it:

IMPORTANT RENEWAL NOTICE: This is a renewal notification for 2012-13 NHL® CENTER ICE®. Because of the potential NHL labor dispute, you will not be charged until there is a confirmed season start date*. This assures that you will not pay for any missed games. Once a settlement is reached, you will begin to see a charge** for NHL® CENTER ICE® and will be set to enjoy another exciting season. If you wish to cancel, you must do so before the season starts; refunds not available after the season starts.

* Season currently scheduled to start on 10/10/12 but is subject to change pending the outcome of a new NHL agreement **2012-13 renewal price is 4 payments of $42.95/month. Should there be a delay in the season and games are missed, the price will be adjusted accordingly. This amount will appear on your bill once an agreement has been made.

how can they do this letter? let this play out! just like the NBA lockout we all know the won't start before December, training camp is supposed to open this week, and if remember correctly for the NBA lockout they only took like $10 or 15 or dollars always

how can they do this letter? let this play out! just like the NBA lockout we all know the won't start before December, training camp is supposed to open this week, and if remember correctly for the NBA lockout they only took like $10 or 15 or dollars always

I thought the NFL lockout was bad, until I saw the NBA locking out, that was worse. Of course, now I'm seeing the NHL locking out, and it might be the worst of all 3. This is an absolute atrocity, and if Bettman misses any games this year, he should be fired immediately.

I thought the NFL lockout was bad, until I saw the NBA locking out, that was worse. Of course, now I'm seeing the NHL locking out, and it might be the worst of all 3. This is an absolute atrocity, and if Bettman misses any games this year, he should be fired immediately.

Why? Bettman is doing what the owners want him too. He dosen't work for the players or THE FANS. The commissioner's number 1 job is to represent the owners and thats what he is doing. THEY are the ones making the demands not Betman. He"s just out front. If you want to blame anyone blmae the owners.

Why? Bettman is doing what the owners want him too. He dosen't work for the players or THE FANS. The commissioner's number 1 job is to represent the owners and thats what he is doing. THEY are the ones making the demands not Betman. He"s just out front. If you want to blame anyone blmae the owners.

+1

And with the increases each year in revenues ($3.3 billion last year), I suspect he can weather another lock out and still have his job.

how can they do this letter? let this play out! just like the NBA lockout we all know the won't start before December, training camp is supposed to open this week, and if remember correctly for the NBA lockout they only took like $10 or 15 or dollars always

I'm actually glad they added that information to our statements. At least we know we won't be billed until they reach a settlement. And if its not a full season, we won't have to pay full price. So they will "let this play out", before they bill us accordingly.

how can they do this letter? let this play out! just like the NBA lockout we all know the won't start before December, training camp is supposed to open this week, and if remember correctly for the NBA lockout they only took like $10 or 15 or dollars always

And what exactly is wrong with this note? It was the proper thing to do...it's called communicating with your customers.

We don't KNOW anything but FWIW, I agree with you on your prediction. Christmas is, IMO, best case scenario.

I will be cancelling my auto-renewal of NHL CI the moment I hear that the league has announced a lockout. If even one regular season game is missed this year, then I'll skip NHL CI for 2012-2013 entirely. If there's a short lockout that does not shorten the length of the regular season, then I'll re-up for NHL CI at the point the lockout is lifted and a full regular season schedule confirmed.

My ability to express my displeasure concretely, and in a fashion the league will recognize the message being sent, is limited, but at least I can do that, and I will.

georule, They won't even notice. You need to sit down and put pen to paper as regards your displeasure.

It terms of impact I believe it runs

Handwritten shows that you are willing to take the time and expense to mail.
Word Processed shows less time but still willing to spend to mail it.
Phone call: Not totally sure if this should be higher or not.
Email

For $171 per year, the NHL should include online viewing of games (laptop, etc.) in the NHL CI package as well as the NBA does with their package. It's good for those to travel alot during the NHL season.

Let's hope the labor dispute is addressed quickly. A D* letter I got a few weeks ago said that the 1st NHLCI payment won't be taken out until the season starts due to the uncertainty... at least that's what I thought it said.

georule, They won't even notice. You need to sit down and put pen to paper as regards your displeasure.

It terms of impact I believe it runs

Handwritten shows that you are willing to take the time and expense to mail.Word Processed shows less time but still willing to spend to mail it.Phone call: Not totally sure if this should be higher or not.Email

Oh, those things are fine too. . .tho, frankly, they're only "yapping". Put your money where your mouth is, and they will notice. I think you're wrong that they won't be watching all the available financial metrics --including NHL CI cancellations-- quite closely. I do certainly intend to write Bettman as well when/if the league announces the lockout, telling him what I did (which will give more credibility to what I say I will do, about not re-upping if regular season games are cancelled) if the lockout goes into effect.

It's called "informing your customers". You know, communication and such. I personally think it is excellent service that they are sending this out, and as such preparing their customers for a possible blackout.

If/when it happens, customers already know they won't be charged the full amount, so they don't have to call DirecTV. This leaves the phone lines open for those with other issues.

[Disclaimer] The definition of "soon" is based solely on DirecTV's interpretation of the word, and all similarities with dictionary definitions of the word "soon" are purely coincidental and should not be interpreted as a time frame that will come to pass within a reasonable amount of time.